RELEASE DAY REVIEW – Our Love Unhinged by Brighton Walsh

Once upon a time, two people fell in love. They overcame obstacles. Persevered through challenges. Came together despite the odds stacked against them.

Now forever and always is within their grasp—he asked, and she said yes. Just a trip down the aisle, an exchange of vows and rings, and they’ll be bound together for the rest of their lives…

But even the greatest love can’t silence fears.

Our Love Unhinged is the final novella in the Reluctant Hearts series, and is best enjoyed after reading books 1-3 in the series.

Brighton Walsh returns to the Reluctant Hearts series with Our Love Unhinged, a beautifully written and emotionally powerful novella that wraps up the series with all of the warm and fuzzy feelings I’ve come to adore from this author and then some. Brighton’s words are as enchanting as ever, allowing me to lose myself all over again in the fantastic family of characters she has created with this series. I loved being able to glimpse the lives of these unforgettable personalities further in the future, sharing in their hard-won love and reveling in the promise of the happily ever afters yet to come.

“There’s just me and her and this amazing love I’m somehow lucky enough to be part of. And I can’t wait—I don’t want to wait anymore.”

In true Brighton Walsh style, Our Love Unhinged doesn’t pull any punches and this Happily Ever After is not without its battles. For fans of the series, this novella will remind you exactly why you fell in love with Cade and Winter to begin with. As their relationship changes, old insecurities and fears rise to the surface, causing all of the pain and emotional growth they’ve already been through to move through me once again. This novella made me feel raw and vulnerable, perfectly capturing the tone of the story and bringing every incredible moment of Cade and Winter’s journey back to me in a rush of heartache and unrelenting hope.

“How much time do we have before you freak out?”

Cade is still book boyfriend perfection. His patience, understanding, and unconditional love is utterly swoon-worthy and I find myself lost to him the moment he opens his mouth. So many feels! A part of me relates to Winter in unexpected ways and this novella rekindled that connection instantly, making it easy to once again root for her. One of the things I love most about Brighton Walsh’s writing is her ability to transform words into poignant prose and palpable human emotions. Her writing is exquisite, effortlessly delivering the joy, self-doubt, and humor of this story and bringing Cade, Winter, and the rest of the crew to life. Our Love Unhinged was the perfectly imperfect happily ever after for these two beloved characters.

Oh. My. Goodnesssss! Our Love Unhinged came as a complete and total surprise from Brighton Walsh and honestly, I feel like Christmas came early this year! This short novella is an afternoon read that left me aching for a re-read of the couple’s entire story the moment I closed it. I tend to be super sappy when it comes to goodbyes, but with this final book in the Reluctant Hearts series, my heart felt so elated and utterly filled. While I always want more from the characters I’ve fallen in love with, there was something incredibly gratifying with every moment in Our Love Unhinged.

“How many times should he have to be there, waiting to pick up my pieces when I fall apart?”

I’m keeping my review super vague because the surprises I received made me fall in love with the characters, with the author’s writing, and with the entire series all over again. Trust me when I say that if you’re a fan of the Reluctant Hearts crew, you won’t want to miss this heartwarming conclusion. There’s a little bit of everything you’ve fallen in love with – and then a little something extra. Brighton Walsh keeps getting better and better in her writing, and while I’m sad to say goodbye to this fantastic group of friends and family, I’m already smiling at the prospect of what is to come!

Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with writing. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children.